Nectarine tree named &#39;NECTARPERF&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTARPERF’, has a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive bright purple red skin color. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2010/0490 filed on Mar. 2, 2010 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘NECTARPERF’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NECTARPERF’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very large fruit with very good eating quality, flesh fruit for fresh market in late August in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) white nectarine tree, standard variety, for reliable description. ‘NECTARPERF’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has a semi-early to semi-late flowering period, fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘NECTARPERF’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested. The male parent is ‘NECTARIANE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707), a very productive yellow nectarine tree and the female parent ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) is a white nectarine tree with very good gustative qualities. ‘NECTARCRISP’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) results from a free pollination of ‘MAILLARFLAT’ (Sweetcap®, non-patented) white flat peach tree that was used as the seed parent. ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) blooms in the end of March near Elne, France, between 18^(th) and 27^(th) of March, eleven days after ‘SNOWQUEEN’ or ‘ZAITABO’ (Big Top®) varieties with the same climatic conditions. The maturity period is late, from end of August to beginning of September. The productivity is very good. The fruit is very attractive, large and firm, semi-sweet and aromatic, with a very long shelf life. ‘NECTARIANE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,707) results from a crossing between a male parent of ‘ZAITABO’ (BigTop®) variety and a female parent of ‘ANDANO’ (Red Diamond®—U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,165) variety. It blooms in March and more precisely between the 5^(th) and the 20^(th) of March. The fruit ripens in July, approximately between the 14^(th) and the 20^(th) of July. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree ‘NECTARPERF’ blooms in early March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms around 4 to 5 days after ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384). The blooming period is considered semi-early to semi-late.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARPERF’ ripens from late August to beginning of September, around 4 to 5 days after the first fruit of ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens between the 25^(th) and the 31^(st) of August.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying pictures, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and size view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety ‘NECTARPERF’.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows four typical specimens of the fruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the new variety; leaves of the new variety are also present.

FIG. 3 shows a typical ‘NECTARPERF’ tree.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTARPERF’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-early to semi-late in springtime. The type of flower is showy, with medium to large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is late. The fruit flesh is white with usually a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and around in a star-shape on approximately 7.0 mm. Fruit skin is very thick, of bright purple red color on a pink-washed red ground. The stone is of medium size and the flesh is more or less adherent according to the fruit maturity. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘NECTARCRISP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,384) the flowering is earlier of 4 to 5 days and is considered semi-early to semi-late. The maturity period is later of 4 to 5 days and is considered as late. The fruit is very round, bright purple red on 90% of the fruit skin on a pink red ground; much more colored than the varieties available at that period of the year. The fruit is also very firm and resistant in comparison with other varieties available at that period of the year.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the second fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have been made on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large as compared to other common commercial             nectarine cultivars. The tree size the first year was             approximately 2.50 meters. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately 2.50             meters. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 0.80             meters. So the tree size from the second year (second and             next years) reached a final height of 3.30 meters with             current seasons shots length comprised.         -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was             oriented to a central leader organization, with tree lines             spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same             tree line.         -   Vigor.—Strong vigor. The present variety grew from about             60.0 centimeters to 80.0 centimeters in height during the             first and following growing seasons. For second and             following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate             height of 2.50 meters.         -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultivar practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruits on 3 was             necessary for the tree valorization. Thinning may not be too             important because of the high magnifying potential of the             fruit.         -   Form.—Semi-spread to semi-upright naturally.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense to dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.             Fruits remain very attractive because they are well colored             with an excellent semi-sweet flavor. Experimentations on             different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised             between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of             the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained             temperatures as low as −12° degrees Celsius. The tree was             also very resistant to frosty springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 5.0 centimeters and 6.5             centimeters when measured at a distance of approximately             30.0 centimeters above the soil, on trees from the second             growing season.         -   Bark texture.—Rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the             second growing season. The lenticels range in size from             approximately 0.15 centimeters in height and about 0.2 to             0.4 centimeters in width.         -   Lentical color.—The outside surface of lenticels has a             silver-grey color (RHS GREY 201 C), whereas the inside             surface is brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 C-D).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little             more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS GREY 201             B-C to RHS N200C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium to thick for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0             millimeters, and branches of trees from the second growing             season have a diameter comprised between 10.0 and 19.0             millimeters.         -   Current season shoots surface texture.—Average, wood that is             several years old has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 70 degrees and 90             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Internode length.—Generally 23.0 millimeters to 30.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A-B).         -   Color of current season shoots.—The color of new shoot tips             is considered a light yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144             A-C) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part             is colored brown-purple to brown-red (RHS GREYED PURPLE             GROUP 187 A-B to GREYED RED 182 A) following the position on             the shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements             have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season             growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is above 3.11.         -   Leaf length.—From 161.0 to 187.0 millimeters with leaf             petiole. Average length of 174.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—From 50.0 to 60.0 millimeters. Average width of             56.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave relative to the leaf longitudinal             axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Tip form.—Acuminate, small. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark green (RHS GREEN 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS GREEN 137 B to 137 B-C)             than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145             C-D) evolving with the maturity.         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one             or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 7.0 to 12.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Light green on the upper surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN             145 A) and light green with a cream touch (RHS YELLOW GREEN             145 C-D) on the lower surface. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 2.0             millimeters.         -   Number.—Generally 2 to 3.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered pale             green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turn to a dark brown (RHS GREY BROWN 199 A-B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed at the base of the             petioles. But as seen in the characteristic relative to the             leaves uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups             of 2 or 3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers: -   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 15.0             millimeters wide and approximately 20.0 millimeters long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of             purple-brown color (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-D to GREYED             BROWN GROUP 199 A); the corolla formed by petals, is             generally of pale rose color (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B-C). Petals             color shows an evolution until the end of blooming.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales department,             with winter temperatures as low as −10° C. in January. The             current variety has not been intentionally subjected to             drought or heat stress, but the variety showed a very good             resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an             average temperature between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks             in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally early March. The first bloom was             observed on Mar. 1, 2005. Second, third and fourth blooms             took place respectively on Feb. 26, 2008, Mar. 4, 2009 and             Mar. 20, 2010.         -   Blooming time.—Considered semi-early to semi-late in             relative comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars             grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The             date of full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 7 days. This characteristic             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom             is approximately 35.0 to 40.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 40             flowers per meter.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1. -   Petal:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.         -   Length.—Generally about 20.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 20.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Medium Pink (RHS RED PURPLE 65 B-D) when young,             darkening with advancing senescence.         -   Fragrance.—Soft. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             very slightly rounded tip.         -   Length.—Approximately 7.0 to 8.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Average 4.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulating. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally complete at the             tip and large round. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average             length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Average 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Brown to light brown (RHS GREY BROWN N199 C-D). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             purple-brown (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-D) color. The inner             surface is yellow green (RHS YELLOW 13 A-B to YELLOW GREEN             150 A-B) -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Medium. Ovoid shape.         -   Color.—A flat red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 183 A-D to GREY BROWN             199 A).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Average 40 stamens per             flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—Medium.         -   Color.—Yellow-orange-red color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 16 A-B).             Anthers are becoming brown (RHS GREYED RED 178 A) after             maturity.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B-C) evolving with maturity. The             present variety is auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 9.0 to 14.0             millimeters in length.         -   Color.—Considered pale pink (RHS RED PURPLE 62 C-D to RED             PURPLE 73 A-B). The color is evolving with flowering. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Length.—Approximately from 13.0 to 16.0 millimeters             including the ovary. Their length is usually lower than the             length of the stamens.         -   Color.—Considered very pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 150 D to             RHS YELLOW GREEN 151 D). The color is evolving with             flowering.         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous. -   Fruits:     -   -   Maturity.—Very firm at maturity (shipping ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Sep. 5, 2010, exceptionally late due             to climatic conditions in winter 2010.         -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 12, 2010, exceptionally late due             to climatic conditions in winter 2010. The date of harvest             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered very large, with a homogeneous size             between them.         -   Average cheek diameter.—From 80.0 millimeters to 90.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—From 73.0 millimeters 80.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally between 280.0 grams and 330.0             grams. This characteristic is highly dependent upon the             prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not             particularly distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round to slightly elevated. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.         -   Fruit suture.—Flared shape, slightly marked, extending from             the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching             exists along the suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the blush fruit             color, a bright purple red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A-B) on a             ground (RHS RED 47 C-D). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Not prominent, slightly marked, very small.         -   Base.—Semi-flared. Shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0             millimeters. Average width is about 15.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious             to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic.         -   Tendency to crack.—None. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a homogenous bright purple             red (RHS GREYED PURPLE 187 A-B to RED 47 A-B). The red blush             covers 90% to 100% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage             of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is             generally dependent upon the prevailing conditions under             which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color appears until 10% of the             fruit skin surface, and is considered washed-pink red (RHS             RED 47 C-D).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 10.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A-B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very homogenous, slow, very evenly.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, luscious and juicy             at harvesting maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, sweet and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 13 degrees and acidity is comprised between 6             and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered juicy and             aromatic.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding             climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS WHITE 155 A-B) with usually a             slight red pigmentation in the stone cavity and star-shaped             around the stone cavity (RHS RED 53 A) on about 7.0             millimeters. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent according to the             fruit maturity.         -   Stone cavity.—Medium size, with an elliptic-form and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—From 34.0 to 37.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—From 24.0 to 25.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—From 17.0 to 22.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is very prominent and has a pointed             tip. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is usually transversely furrowed on             its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the             apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is             prominent generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is red-brown (RHS             GREYED PURPLE N186 C to 187 A-B) with some zones of light             brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 174 B-C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—About 19.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 12.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—About 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Light and pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE             N167 A to 167 A-B). The almond is cream-white (RHS WHITE 155             B). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTARPERF’ is considered to be a             white nectarine tree of the late season of maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered large, firm, and             attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked             consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh             quality, firmness and density, they can also be             commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or             fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than             one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well             more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They             have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the             tree after growth completion and after harvesting without             alteration.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or             skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and             packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during             harvest and packing and its long shelf life without             alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks-shipping at             2° degree Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is low             sensitive to powdery mildew, and low sensitive to             conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and strong             skin. -   Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described     characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions     prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it     should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and     characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,     fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management     are to be expected. 

1. A. new and distinct white nectarine tree variety as illustrated and described, characterized by a large fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin color, with a very high percentage of bright purple red. 